A piece of red paper and a pair of scissors for cutting were quickly turned and rotated by the craftsman's fingertips. After a while, a lively and dynamic picture appeared on the paper.
This is paper-cutting, which is a long-standing folk art in our country. It is also a form of handicraft that I have been fascinated with since I was a child.
With just a piece of paper and a pair of scissors, it can create an ever-changing and ultra-diverse world without the involvement of complicated tools.
You have to try it yourself to know the fun and tricks involved.
The first time I saw paper-cutting, I was moved by the story in the picture.
I remember the first time I was shocked by paper-cutting was when I saw a work of a Mongolian girl.
She knelt on her knees on the thick carpet, holding a book in her hands. Her eyes were extremely focused, as if the whole world had fallen into silence.
The flowers embroidered on her hat seemed to feel this seriousness and bloomed particularly brightly.
One interesting thing was that a few butterflies actually flew over outside the window. They seemed to be moved by the little girl's serious expression. They opened and closed their wings as if they were clapping for her.
The wonderful thing about paper-cutting is that it can fix a moment, but it can also make people imagine the story that happened outside the picture.
I think that the little girl must be, maybe, maybe she saw such interesting and interesting things in the book; or maybe, or maybe, she is missing her distant friends.
The morning glories nearby opened like a trumpet, and the daffodils also came closer, communicating with the butterflies and asking about recent events outside.
A quiet afternoon was brought to life by a piece of paper cutting.
Try it yourself, from "Peacock Picture" to "Mooncake Paper-cutting"
After reading too much, I naturally felt itchy and wanted to try it myself.
My first challenge was the "Peacock Picture".
In my impression, the peacock dance performed by dancer Yang Liping was so beautiful, so when I saw the paper-cut peacock, I wanted to complete it.
The peacock has a tuft of feathers on its head that has been described as a delicate fan, and a long tail feather that has been compared to a gorgeous dress. The tail feathers are decorated with patterns that resemble leaves and flowers.
I followed the video, folded the paper, imitated the old craftsman's appearance, and cut it out quickly, doing it three times, five times, five times, and two times, all in one go.
When the results were unfolded, it turned out that it did indeed look like a peacock, but it always felt like it was missing a bit of aura.
Later I tried to design it myself and cut out a butterfly.
This time, I first sketched the outline of a butterfly on the paper, and then used a knife to carve it out with great care so that the wings showed delicate hollow patterns. Finally, I used scissors to cut them out along the edges.
Although the technique is still very immature, when I look intently at the butterfly paper-cut work that only I have, I feel so beautiful that it is indescribable.
If you look at paper-cutting as a thing, it really seems easy. However, when you do it, you really know that you must have a clear sense of proportion when making each cut. No wonder it can be included in the category of national intangible cultural heritage. The exquisiteness, meticulousness and patience contained in it are actually a very valuable art that deserves to be passed down.
Paper-cutting in life brings joy and elegance
In fact, paper-cutting is very close to our lives.
During the Chinese New Year when I was a child, my grandma would always cut out several red window grilles and paste them on them. Some of them were in the shape of a rabbit holding a carrot, and some were in the shape of a chubby carp! There are also styles with the word "福" which means auspiciousness.
People who are about to get married will definitely have a bright red word "Double Happiness" posted on their doors and windows. Seeing this scene can make people feel a sense of joy and peace deep in their hearts.
Paper-cutting is not only beautiful to look at, it also contains the best wishes for life from us Chinese people.
Just like the work "Rabbit Stealing Vegetables", the little rabbit is holding a fresh cabbage in its front paws and a carrot in its back paws. Its round eyes are full of clever energy, which makes people feel happy and happy just by looking at it.
Then there are the "Double Flying Swallows", which are two swallows sharing the same body. Their wings are spread out like a pair of big scissors, chasing each other and playing in the air, which is full of the atmosphere of spring.
The themes of these paper-cut works are derived from life, but they add a bit more fun and imagination to life, thus decorating ordinary days with charm.
Behind paper-cutting is culture and craftsmanship
We often talk about the phrase "ingenuity", and paper-cutting is probably the craft that best expresses the meaning of these four words.
It is also called paper engraving, which involves using scissors or a carving knife to create patterns on paper.
Don't underestimate this simple tissue paper. In terms of designing patterns, folding paper, and cutting, every step has corresponding details.
For a good paper-cut work, the lines should be smooth, the hollows should be even, and the connections should be natural.
When I first started learning, I was always unsure of the strength. Either I would cut it off, or the two sides of the cut out pattern would be asymmetrical.
Later, I gradually discovered that the trick lies in "folding".
After folding the paper, you can process several symmetrical parts at the same time with one cut.
If I plan to cut out a round window grille, I must first fold the paper in half, and then fold it in half again, so that the petals cut out will be well-proportioned!
This process of exploration is particularly interesting. Every failure I encounter will give me a clearer understanding and a more thorough understanding of the principles involved.
Through paper-cutting, I realized that our traditional craftsmanship is not the rigid normative dogma, but the wisdom and wisdom summarized by generations of people. It is the accumulated experience, and it also contains the results of innovation and creation.
The charm of paper-cutting is that it uses the simplest materials to create the richest world.
There is a piece of paper and a pair of scissors, and the things they cut out include flowers, birds, fish, insects, people and deeds, and they are the simplest and most passionate feelings about life for those of us with Chinese ancestry.
It does not require those expensive tools. As long as you have that intention, you can pick up the scissors at any time and transform the beautiful picture in your heart into reality.
This art presented at the fingertips is worthy of our continued passing on, so that more people can feel its warmth and fun.
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